This Arizona coal community is finding a future in renewable energy

As the Cholla Power Plant prepares to close in northeastern Arizona, residents in nearby Joseph City are reimagining a post-coal economy.

The rural community is using federal money to explore renewable energy and other sources of jobs to preserve the hometown residents want to stay in.

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Arizona Uses Federal Grants To Protect Gila County Towns From Post-Wildfire Floods

A federal grant is helping Gila County protect rural towns like Superior, Globe and Miami from the growing risk of flash floods after a trio of wildfires caused damage to the landscape.

The county will map the likely routes of post-wildfire flooding and mudslides using $250,000 from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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New Bridge to Cut Firefighter Response Times in Southern Arizona

A 40-year-old bridge in southern Arizona will soon receive a much-needed, multi-million-dollar overhaul to serve the community of Rio Rico, near the U.S.-Mexico border.

With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the new bridge will be the largest project in Santa Cruz County and improve 911 response times for a growing rural community.

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Millions Are Available for Rural and Tribal Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers to Install Solar. We Can Help

Millions of dollars in federal funding are available for rural, tribal and agricultural business owners to install solar, purchase new energy-efficient equipment and save on utility bills. Local First Arizona is now offering free help to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Hopi Tribe’s emergency services will soon run 24/7 with independent solar grid

A $9 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will equip the Hopi Tribe with a solar system to allow emergency services to operate 24/7. The tribe currently depends on unreliable, polluting diesel generators to power its government complex.

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Cocopah Indian Tribe turns convention and entertainment center into solar-powered revenue generator

Federal funding will help finance a major solar installation on the Cocopah Indian reservation, saving the tribe millions. The solar panels will generate 90% of the energy needs for the tribe’s events and entertainment complex. Money saved will be reinvested into programs to benefit the community.

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This rural Arizona inn found a way to save $10,000 a year on energy bills

A rural Arizona inn found a way to install solar panels affordably and save $10,000 a year on energy bills with help from a federal grant and tax credits.

“One day, $32,000 appeared in our checking account, and we were like, ‘Whoa it’s time to celebrate!’” Pines Inn and Suites owner Anna May Cory said. “For us, that was quite impressive.”

The funding was made possibIe through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

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Fall for fall with Kaya Holistic goods and gifts

When Arizona’s weather turns cool, it’s time to enjoy the fresh air, spruce up at home and prepare to get cozy.

From tobacco-and-clove scented candles to elderberry immune-boosting tonics to botanical bath bombs, Kaya Holistic has all the eco-friendly, handcrafted products you need to fall for fall.

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Tempe Restaurants Help Transform Food Scraps Into Farmland

On May 31st, something transformational was cooking at Mundo Grill, a restaurant located along the light rail on Apache Boulevard in Tempe. A diverse group of 20 business owners, residents, food producers, and businesses support experts along with Tempe city staff and officials banded together to launch the Tempe Circular Economy Pilot, putting restaurants in the driver’s seat to put an end to food going into the landfill while saving on costs and regenerating Arizona’s environment & food system.

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Certifiably Delightful: Tucson Frozen Yogurt Shop Goes Green

A Tucson favorite that's been serving up homemade frozen yogurt for over 25 years has gone Green by becoming Arizona Green Business Certified. Frozen Delight owners Cleo & Jose Terrazas pride themselves on opening one of the first frozen yogurt shops in Tucson, and now they are one of the first to implement innovative solutions that make the business more sustainable.

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